Mask

The true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz) is the subject of this heart-breaking film that pulls absolutely no punches. The youngster was born with a disease that caused his face to be terribly deformed, making it appear that he had a mask on. Cher is excellent as Stoltz's drug-addicted mother who is so good with him, but so poor with most everyone else. Sam Elliott also leaves a lasting impression as a biker who is much gentler than he appears. An amazing screenplay and the flawless direction of Peter Bogdanovich help to make "Mask" one of the best films of the 1980s. Terribly over-looked. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This movie is unique. Everybody must see it. It is very sentimental, but it is not exasperated. Great Cher, great Eric Stoltz, great Sam Elliot. This movie makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you think about the lucky aspects of life and the unlucky ones. One of the most striking aspects is that good feelings are found in an environment that most people think is bad: a young ex-drug addict mother, a group of motorcyclists. I will not tell you what is Mask, I just tell you he is a normal guy except for a difference: find it by your own, you will be satisfied. Surely a good movie.

This is an excellent film with an excellent story played by an excellent cast! Rocky, a teenager with a horribly disfigured skull tries to fit in. His mother, ably played by Cher, portrays a biker babe who loves her son but little else. Sam Eliot plays her biker boyfriend but also has a soft spot for Rocky. Rocky loves a blind girl, played wonderfully by Laura Dern. All in all, this is a touching, but not overly sappy film! This one is worth a watch.

It is a very spooky feeling to see a film based on someone you knew in real life. I honestly do not know how much artistic liberty was taken with this film as I did not know his family, but I knew Rocky Dennis as a teenager and Eric Stoltz did an absolutely fantastic job of capturing his heart and soul as well as his intelligence. I am grateful that such a remarkable person will be remembered for who he truly was.

I saw this film on TV, and it really affected me, because it was so different from most of the cliche-ridden dramatic films. It didn't really fit any "genre", because the situation and characters were so different. They were truly American, bikers with a bit of bravado but underlying sensitivity and compassion, and sense of community. It makes sense that this was a true story. I thought both Stoltz and Cher did magnificent acting jobs, although Stoltz really carried the film, with his understated sense of irony and his willingness to help others, even though inflicted with such a stigma. I agree that he should have been bullied more if this was reality, yet Bogdanovich took a great risk in the superficial culture of celluloid, to devote an entire film to someone with an ugly, deformed face. Often, it was hard to look at him, and brought up questions about my own superficial judgments of people according to their appearances. I am saddened and at the same time, inspired, to hear this was a true story. Belated congratulations and thanks to all involved with this problematic, yet ultimately, encouraging, work.